Revere Beach Sand Sculpture Contest Summer 2011

Every year in July, Revere Beach holds a sand sculpture contest and has fireworks on the beach. I heard about this event in 2010 but the date had already past. So, I put it on the calendar for next year and amazingly, the event was held on the one weekend I had off for my summer employment!

This contest attracts sand scultpure artists from around the world. If you come on Thursday and Friday, you will see the artists in action. On Saturday afternoon, the sand sculptures are judged and can be viewed by the public. There are lots of food vendors and vendors promoting products such as soda, yogurt, energy drinks, fitness bars etc. Ice cream stands such as the Banana Boat are also fun. There is also some live music. Once evening has set in, there are fireworks on the beach. I was surprised by the quality fireworks show. The show lasted a full 30 minutes and there were several times that I (and others) thought that it was the finale only to have more fireworks follow! This is a sign of a good show! Honestly, if I had to make a choice, I would skip the 4th of July Fireworks in Boston and come to this. There was more space, fewer people and still a great show. It is a lot more family friendly than the 4th fireworks as it is much easier to keep track of your kids. Plus, you don't have to end up standing for the entire show like you do for the 4th.

My favorite scultpture was the sponsor sandcastle as it fit the picture of a perfect sandcastle that I've always had in my head. It was very detailed and even had a person standing in the drawbridge gate beckoning vistiors. The tortise was also my favorite and this is the sculpture that won for 2011.

The beach itself is not too bad for a public beach. I had heard mixed things about this beach but have been back several times since the fireworks and have been impressed. It is well staffed and clean. There tends to be a lot of sea kelp in the water and on parts of the beach so that isn't great if you plan to spend a lot of time in the water but since New England beach water is freezing, you probably aren't going to be in the water much anyway. The beach is also great for jogging or kite flying in the off season. Plus, it is easily accessible by T via the Revere Beach and Wonderland stop. It is pretty amazing that you can be in the center of Boston and then be on a beach in less that 30 minutes.

Museum of Fine Arts: Free Wednesday Evenings

The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) has a wonderful collection of art and is truly a Boston gem. Last year, the MFA opened a new Art of the Americas wing which highlights early American art up through modern American art. The MFA will also be opening a new contemporary wing in a couple of months.

I have vistited many of the great art museums of Europe and several in America. The MFA is still one of my favorites. It is just the right size and has a variety of art. They also have had some wonderful special exhibits. The Chihuly exhibit (April 10, 2011- August 8, 2011) was amazing! The pictures do not do it justice.

While it is worth it to pay full price for a ticket if you are visiting Boston, it is great if you can get in for free. Every Wednesday night from 4pm-9:45pm. This is not enough time to see the whole museum so you are better off coming during the day and getting a regular ticket if you are just visiting Boston. However, if you live in the area, you can over the course of several visits see the whole musuem if you come to the free evenings a couple times. The museum is a place to go during the winter because it has several large areas with natural lighting. I have friends who bring homework or grading to the museum just for a quiet and bright atmosphere.

The museum also has free days and Bank of America sponsors a free day a month for account holders and most student IDs will get you in free or discounted so check into that before planning a trip.

                                                    

Boston's Secret Garden: The Kelleher Rose Garden

When I used to live near Fenway, I was exploring the area by the Fens and came across a garden surrounded by a green hedge with a white arbor at the entrance. It was the end of November and it was unseasonably warm. I entered the garden and was surprised to find roses still blooming. I felt as if I had stumbled upon a secret garden.

What I had stumbled upon was the Kelleher Rose Garden. Started in 1930, this rose garden has a rich history. Thanks to restoration efforts in the past 10 years, the garden is home to hundreds of varieties of roses. The varieties of the roses are marked on small signs and some of the names are very creative! The garden is maintained by some staff and many volunteers. You can volunteer to help take care of the rose garden every Tuesday evening from May-September. The garden is not open year round (only from about May- September) which makes it even more magical that it was open on that day that I discovered it in November. The garden is located behind the Museum of Fine Arts and accesible by the Green "E" line.

The rose garden is a great place to relax, read, and reflect. There are several benches located in the garden. My favorite is the one at the head of the garden that is covered by a rose crested arbor. I love to come to the garden after dinner on summer evenings and listen to Beethoven symphonies on my ipod while sitting on this bench and gazing out upon the myriad of roses and the sunset sky. Definitly one of Boston's best kept secrets, this garden is an oasis.